As prom season is wrapping up, a good alternative to stashing that worn-once dress in your closet is to donate it. There are donation sites all across the country that help girls who  can’t afford prom dresses to acquire slightly used dresses for discounted rates, or even for free.

Project Prom is an organization that helps young girls set up donation sites in their communities. There are chapters all across America, serving thousands of girls. Many even receive donations of dresses, shoes and accessories from major stores. Often the chapters host fashion shows! I encourage you to look into donating your dress. I am sure you had a wonderful night in it—and another girl could, too. Everybody deserves to have a memorable prom. To donate your dress, find a local branch or even start your own!

~Brittany

She started out dressing up like characters in fictitious movies, then staging scenes and photographing herself in them.

She then went on to  re-create historical portraits based on European oil paintings from the 15th century through the 19th century. DOZENS of them. Then she dressed herself up as the scariest clowns ever and did a series of clown portraits. Some of her most provocative photos came most recently, when she dressed up as the aging, super-rich society women who often buy her photographs for hundreds of thousands of dollars.

In addition to making thought-provoking works of art, Sherman’s a darling of the fashion world, as well. In 2011, she was the face(s) of cosmetics giant M.A.C., and she’s done campaigns for Balenciaga, Marc Jacobs and Rei Kawakubo (among others).

This is one of her three faces for M.A.C. One of the things that’s most remarkable about Cindy Sherman is the way she challenges her viewers by portraying uncomfortable characters. (Have you learned about the concept of the “male gaze” in your media classes yet?)

So if you love playing dress-up and taking selfies—stick with it! If you play your cards right, you could end up with exhibits in every major museum in the world, plus a no-strings-attached, half-million-dollar fellowship.

Wanna know more about Cindy Sherman, like why she won a genius award for taking pictures of nothing but herself for 40 years? Check out this interview.

Is anyone else taking AP exams in the next two weeks? I’m not going to lie, they’re pretty rough! If my posts seem to be a little bit short, that’s the reason. However, I thought I would take a minute to give you a sneak peak of the outfit I’m wearing to a concert this summer. I know I’m a tad bit early, but what can I say? I’m excited for it!

I wanted to go with something that was a bit nicer than jeans and a blouse, so I opted for a skirt. I paired it with a graphic tee and a lace bandeau to make sure I wasn’t too dressy. To add a little bit of edge, I chose my cut-out oxfords and favorite black hat. I’ll be good to go after I grab my black crossbody, my ticket and my camera.

What do you guys think?

Stay wonderful,
Samantha

Is anyone else obsessed with America’s Next Top Model? If you are, you definitely remember Leila Goldkuhl from last season. She was super unique, fashionable and she worked her gap teeth. (Mine have a slight gap, too.) Although she didn’t win, she’s doing great things, anyway. She recently signed with NEXT Model Management and I’ve started seeing her on the front pages of a lot of websites. Go, Leila!

XOXO,
Aya

Sources:
Wildfox
Melissa Harrison Photography

I had high expectations for this film because I really love the book—and for the most part, I was not disappointed. Carey Mulligan made a great Daisy, and DiCaprio played the nostalgic, idealistic Gatsby well. Their chemistry was really evident. My only critique of the movie is that parts of it are so melodramatic that they feel a little like a farce of the book.

However, the movie definitely had its high points. Along with the fantastic music in the film, the costumes are spectacular. Miuccia Prada designed all of Daisy’s opulent flapper dresses. The movie and costumes might be set in the Roaring Twenties, but many of the creations could be worn today. Drop-waists are coming back into style, as are fringe and crystal embellishments.

I love flapper fashion. (I was even a flapper for Halloween this year!) I think the clothing is just so fun and feminine. I love the silhouettes and colors, and the Art Deco details that make each outfit so unique. While flappers might be a thing of the past, flapper fashion is still relevant in your modern wardrobe. You could take small Gatsby-inspired items and merge them into your closet. Look for drop-waists, Art Deco designs, beading and lace or netting.   

Parker Sequin Embellished Jacket | Moyna ‘Deco’ Beaded Clutch | Elodie Lace Neck Top | BP. ‘Art Deco’ Embellished Headband

ASTR Faux Leather & Lace Dress | Pisarro ‘Nights’ Beaded Illusion Cocktail Dress| Lush Crochet Overlay Shift Dress

Have any of you seen Gatsby yet? Better yet, have any of you read the book?

~Brittany

Sources:

• Prada
• Grazia Daily
• Collider
• Refinery 29

I am absolutely in love with bralettes and bandeaus. They are the perfect summer top to wear with high-waisted shorts or underneath tanks in place of camis.

I wish I could own all of these! Nordstrom has a ton of cute bralettes in stock right now. Some are even on sale. Go check them out!

Top Row: Acid Wash Ruched Bralette | Print Longline Bralette
Bottom Row: Cutout Lace Bralette | ‘Dot’ Bralette

Stay beautiful,
Samantha

Sources:
Vintage Things

The countdown to summer has begun! It’s almost time to travel to far-off places, do absolutely nothing, eat junk food, and make frequent visits to the pool and the beach. And you know what that means—choices, choices, choices. What will be your go-to swimsuit this summer? It’s definitely a summer for brights:

My favorite BP. swimsuit is the The Bikini Lab ‘Hot Pant’ Bikini because it reminds me of artwork by Piet Mondrian.

XOXO,
Aya

Sources:
Sassy Mama in LA
Anthroposophie
Tanya Carty
Island-Oasis
Megan Keppler

We’ve talked about the monochromatic trend before, but the single-color look is being revamped for summer. From fingergnails to shoes, white is turning out to be the color of choice.

I am all for this trend because I love wearing white. I am a huge fan of the LWD (the little white dress, cousin of the famous LBD), and I especially love flowy, white blouses. My mom makes fun of me because I have at least twenty in my closet right now. But white is so versatile, and it keeps your outfit light and bright.

The key to keeping your monochromatic outfit interesting is playing with texture. Instead of lots of colorful, visual interest, focus on the material and structure of the pieces to ensure an outfit that’s white hot.

For me, the perfect white outfit for summer consists of…

• White jeans, Jolt Skinny Jeans
• A cool T-shirt, Project Social T ‘Holy Chic’ Tee
• Wedges, Tildon ‘Lindy’ Wedge
• Sporty Watch, AX Armani Exchange Logo Bar Silicone Strap Watch, 44mm

I challenge you all to a monochromatic day, think you can do it?

~Brittany

Sources:

• Followgram
• The Golden Diamonds
• Monochrome Lovefest
• The Berry
• Breakfast at Zara’s
• Mono/B/Logue
• Marlow 35

Two extremely weird hours later, we were total, passionate fans of Miranda July. And she hadn’t even made a movie yet!

There are so many cool things about Miranda July. She’s a writer. And a performance artist (the good kind). And an actress. And a movie director. And she’s really pretty and has sparkly fashion sense. How can one person do so many things so well? (Maybe she’s a robot? Or an alien. Or both…)

 And she’s friends with Carrie Brownstein. (She is DEFINITELY an alien robot.)

If you want to wallow unashamedly in more Miranda July magic, check out her movies, “Me and You and Everyone We Know” and “The Future.” You won’t regret it.

We’ve all been there. You’re standing in front of your closet the morning of an exam, too tired from studying to even try to put effort into your outfit. As you survey your clothes, you have a simple choice: a sweatshirt or a cute blouse. While you contemplate your dilemma, I have a few tips for you.

1. Don’t give in. I know how tempting it is to just throw on a t-shirt and run out the door. However, picking out a cute outfit can give you the confidene you need to ace that test.

2. Be comfortable. The last thing you want while taking your exam is be distracted by how itchy your new blouse is. I recommend saving that brand-new blouse for a different day. Pick out your favorite go-to top that is cute and comfortable.

3. Stay minimal. You don’t want to be late to your exam because you were too busy getting dressed. Stick with a basic top and maybe one piece of jewelry.

4. Go bold. A bright, printed top or printed jeans make a statement with a minimum of fuss.

5. Bring (or wear) a jacket. You never know how cold your exam room is going to be. Go for something stylish like a jean jacket or even a blazer.

6. Take a deep breath. You’re gonna do great on that exam! You’ve studied the best you can and there is no need to freak out. Being calm can really help you focus.

Here’s what I wore today for my AP U.S. Goverment and Politics Exam:

Good luck on your exams, guys!

Stay fashionable,
Samantha

Sources:
Figuring It Out

This summer I was listening to one of my all-time favorite songs, “Otis“ by Jay-Z and Kanye West, and I was inspired. I started to sketch the outfits that I pictured in my head when I heard the song. I watched the music video and pulled colors from it (as well as the album cover for Watch the Throne). Then I gave the collection a hip-hop feel, and ’90′s silhouettes. I found out later that the ‘90s revival would be a trend, which I’m really proud of. (Future trend forecaster right here!)

I was thrilled with what I saw, but I had one problem—I couldn’t really sew. I mean, I struggled through Halloween costumes in fourth grade and my mom always ended up finishing them. I was registered to take a clothing class at my school but I wasn’t sure if I would be able to catch on fast enough or well enough. All I knew was that I needed to see these looks go down the runway.

In the fall, when clothing class started, we did something my teacher calls Boot Camp. We learned every part of the sewing machine and its purpose, all of the types of fabric and their make-up, as well as various sewing skills: making button holes, putting on zippers, cutting fabric and using patterns. It was so much fun. And now I’m here—20 days until the show, finishing up the last outfit, choosing accesories and getting butterflies!

Here are the things that inspired my collection:

My initial inspiration board.

And my Pinterest board, which you can check out here:

I’m super excited and I hope you are, too. Look out for an update to hear how everything goes!

XOXO,
Aya

When I was younger, I won a purple Bedazzled hand chain from one of those prize machines. I wore it constantly…I liked how unique it was. My friends might have had bracelets and rings, but I had both in one. However, I eventually lost my precious hand chain (probably for the better). Thankfully, though, hand chains are back and better than ever before. Gone are the purple rhinestones, replaced by delicate gold chains, natural stones and studs.

Hand chains are no longer restricted to music festivals, either. They are becoming more and more casual. They are popping up on an increasing number of blogs and on celebrities; Rihanna even rocked one at a basketball game.

A common misconception about hand chains is that they are heavy or intimidating. And it’s true, a lot of metal on your wrist and hand can be overwhelming. However, if you find one that is lighter and less medieval they can be great accessories to a casual or formal outfit. A crystal one with floral accents would be great with a dress, while a gold and shell hand chain would be killer with a crochet tank and jean shorts.

Nordstrom carries a couple of really nice hand chains. My favorites are the:

1. Statements by DCK Hand Chain (shown above left)
2. Carole Turquoise Hand Chain
3. Orion Three Finger Hand Chain
4. Cara Hand Chain

Happy hand chain hunting!

~Brittany

Sources:

• Best Non-Threatening Hand Chains
• We Heart It
• FOUREYES
• I’m HAUTE

I just finished my returning application to be on the BP. Fashion Board next year! I’ve had so much fun learning about fashion trends, careers and Nordstrom. Hopefully, I will get to participate next year, too.

As I was thinking about my experiences on the Fashion Board so far, I remembered the project I made as a part of last year’s application. I created a fashion journal full of collages to show what trends I loved. Although it’s from a full year ago (I can’t believe it), it’s still surprisingly relevant:

Stay inspired,
Samantha

Before he was a Hollywood superstar and pops to Willow and Jaden, Will Smith was The Fresh Prince and, along with DJ Jazzy Jeff, he created one of the best warm-weather jams we’ve ever heard. Pull up a hammock and swing along.

That’s a picture from my lovely school dance not too long ago. We went to dinner, got crazy-good gelato, and then went to the dance. It was so much fun!

My friends and I love to get dressed up so this was the perfect opportunity. I loved my outfit and I was so comfortable in it. I wore the skirt that I made and wore to my 16th birthday party, plus a top I found for four dollars—I repeat—four dollars and tailored to fit me. And of course my sparkly silver heels! Cute, right? It was very springy—you could even call it pastel madness. Needless to say, I felt like a million bucks in my outfit. Someone at the gelato place even asked me if I was famous, which was really funny.

XOXO,
Aya

My school recently had its prom, but since I am only a sophomore, I typically wouldn’t have been allowed to go. However, I volunteered to be a helper, affectionately termed Sophomore Slave, at prom in order to take some pictures for this blog. As a Sophomore Slave, I had to wear a short, black dress and set up and clean up. While that might not sound like that much fun, the three other sophomores and I had a great time.

The girl in the pink dress, Madison, was our prom chair, and she made her dress!

Our prom had a British Invasion theme: there were teapot center pieces, Union Jack name cards and even a tea bar. There was also a photo booth with tons of props, and cutouts of Prince William, Princess Kate and a royal guard with whom you could pose for pictures. (I spent a lot of time taking pictures there with my friends.)

Even our chaperones took some pictures with the cutouts.

The best part of the night, though, was checking out what everyone was wearing. I noticed a couple of trends: Blue was the color of the night, and the girls definitely loved their sparkle.

 Some lovely seniors pose for their picture.

I love this picture of my field hockey team. We clean up well, if I do say so myself.

Our two prom queens, Lanie and Imani, rocking their short dresses and tiaras.

There was a pretty even mix of short and long dresses, but I especially loved these two long ones:

Juniors Eugénie, Charley, and Li looked absolutely gorgeous.

Seniors Lizzie, Shae and Lanie show off the fun backs of their dresses.

Seeing all the amazing dresses, dancing with my friends and enjoying the fun atmosphere has me really excited for my own prom next year. (I’ve heard it might be Gatsby themed!)

If you still need a dress for this year, be sure to check out The Prom Shop for everything from accessories to head-to-toe looks.

~Brittany

1. 1. She’s the first female African-American soloist at the prestigious American Ballet Theater in more than 20 years.
2. 2. She didn’t start dancing until she was thirteen years old, which is practically unheard-of for a professional ballerina. (Some call her a prodigy!)
3. 3. She’s an incredible dancer.
4. 4. Prince has added her to his roster of muses, and she’s been dancing onstage with him lately. Which is pretty freaking cool.

But talking about a dancer makes about as much sense as trying to describe a flavor or a smell. Check her out:

For a longer, more in-depth interview with Misty—and more dancing—check out her clips on the “Makers” profile series from PBS.

I love finding old treasures. Whether they are from an antique shop, a thrift store or even my mother’s closet, each piece has so much character and history. Everything you find is so unique and I adore that. Because you can’t find many of that specific treasure (especially in the same place), you basically have a one-of-a-kind piece!

While my mother was cleaning out her closet the other day, she found a bag she hadn’t used since she was in college: a vintage Dooney & Bourke. I instantly fell in love.

After I found this gem, I was inspired to go and raid my grandmother’s closet for more treasures, which is where I found this adorable Renoir handbag.

These are only two of the many beautiful bags that I found. If you find one that’s a little beat up, get it anyway! As I always say, “It adds character.”

Now go out and get yourself a vintage treasure! You could even carry a vintage or antique clutch for prom. How cute is that?

Stay thrifty,
Samantha

Source: Worth Point

As I was getting ready for the day, my eyes moved from my flowy leopard-print shorts to my printed tank and back again. Inspired, I added red lipstick, my embellished BP. Headband and a black cardigan—and this outfit was born:

I loved my outfit and it was a fabulous day!

XOXO,

Aya

My posts this week are going to be pretty short. Sorry guys! My life is kind of crazy right now with finals coming up and a recent family emergency, but I had to show you this photo:

I love this Vanessa Jackman photo of Danish model Zarina in her bright yellow raincoat. I have to admit I am drawn toward bright, bordering on neon, colors. They just seem so happy and carefree to me. In fact, I like yellow so much that I painted my bedroom a bright gold color. I know the color of the year is emerald, but I will be incorporating some sunny yellow into my spring wardrobe. It’s eye-catching, carefree and irrefutably happy.

A personal favorite: kate spade ‘hello sunshine’ iPhone 5 Case

Yep, that’s probably the shortest post to date, but don’t worry because I’ll be back soon with an exciting prom update!

~Brittany

Sources:

• My Eclectic Life
• Oh, So Darling
• Lighthouses of Denmark
• Obaz

It was so easy and simple to make! Here’s step-by-step instructions:

Materials:

*Hot glue gun or staple gun
*Scissors
*Pliers
*Ribbon, lace or other decorative trim
*Picture frame
*Spray paint

Let’s get started!

1. Remove the backing from your frame by cutting along the edges with your scissors.
2. Take out any staples with your pliers.
3. Spray paint the picture frame in the color of your choosing.
4. After the frame dries, mark where you would like the rows to be.

5. On the back, staple (or glue) your ribbon to the left and right sides of the frame.
6. Repeat for the number of rows you desire.
7. If you plan to hang your frame, staple (or glue) one length of ribbon to each of the two top corners.
8. Add sunglasses.

Now you have a beautiful and unique way to store your sunglasses. You can either hang it on the wall or prop it up on a table.

Stay crafty,
Samantha

Hopefully your Friday feels just as sparkly and giddy. xo!

Last week at the Grove in LA, there was a really cool event in BP. Nordstrom, so I called my good friend and future BP. Fashion Board Member, Vivien, and went down there. 98.7 FM played awesome music and set a fun tone for the event and BP. and Mimi Chica gave away 9, 8 and 7 (get it? 98.7?) Mimi Chica oufits to shoppers who participated in a raffle. The turntables turned, the shoppers shopped, the rafflers raffled, I wore my cute new skater skirt and it was a blast.

XOXO,
Aya

I love heels. I love the way they look and the way they make me oh, so much taller. However, they are not the easiest contraptions to manuever a dance floor in. Since prom is all about having a good time and dancing with your friends, I encourage you to bring a pair of flats or, better yet, wear them all night.

Enter the party flat:

These shoes are cute, often sparkly, and very practical.  Celebs have been wearing them to TV interviews, parties and even award shows. I think this is great because the last thing I want at my prom is to have to ice my feet afterwards. And don’t even get me started on blisters!

Simple touches like studs, sequins, bows or metallic accents can make oxfords, smoking slippers and ballet flats prom material. Metallic menswear-inspired oxfords are especially popular right now.

Metallic Oxfords (from the top):

1. 1. Tildon ‘Astoria’ Oxford
2. 2. Donald J Pliner ‘Denda’ Flat
3. 3. Hinger ‘Fraser’ Oxford

Unique flats are sure to keep you styish and comfortable all night long. Just make sure that if you are wearing flat shoes to prom that your dress is hemmed accordingly. Cute flats are a yes, tripping over your dress…that’s a definite no.

Vince Camuto ‘Tamma’ Flat            Jeffrey Campbell ‘In Love’ Flat        Topshop ‘Marci’ Flat

~Brittany

Sources:
Who What Wear
D Magazine
We Heart It
Crossroads Trading Co.